Apartments in Chapel Hill/Carrboro (Durham: hardwood floors, apartment complex, renters)

[rotabega]

We have narrowed our focus to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area due to the schools for our autistic son and my desire to return to college. I'm curious to hear from those that live in the area in apartments. We're not necessarily looking for brand new and can not afford luxury, just somewhere relatively quiet and without excess crime (petty crime is everywhere, so I won't be foolish enough to say no crime). I have found a few places on craigslist that I wanted to ask about. We are looking to pay $900 or less for a 2 bedroom.

Copper Mill
Willow Brook
Cedar Court
Poplar Place
Berkshire Manor

Does anyone have any info about these places? I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. Any other recommendations are also appreciated. Thanks!

[rotabega]

Anyone? I was hoping to find someone with first-hand knowledge of apartments in this area, even if not on the above list.

[inchanting]

Hi rotabega! I'm planning a move somewhere between September 2008 and January 2009, myself and I have the same questions regarding apartments
I am trying to narrow down my list, (so that I can ask my area friends to go check the places out for me, since most places will apparently allow you to reserve an apartment with a preliminary deposit of $100 or $200 sight unseen. I found an online resource that you may find helpful.

Apartment Ratings :: The leading source of apartment reviews by renters for renters.

Once I narrow my list down (that'll probably be in six months or so,) I'll be sure to post my findings. I hope to be able to do some apartment hunting in April as well when I go for a visit.

Best of luck to you and your family in this New Year!
kaiya

Originally Posted by rotabega

Anyone? I was hoping to find someone with first-hand knowledge of apartments in this area, even if not on the above list.

[rotabega]

Thanks for the reply! Apprently no one on these boards lives in an apartment in Carrboro or Chapel Hill, lol. I have tried the search engine, but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack sometimes.

I tried apartmentratings, but there seems to be a war going on within the reviews, and the nature of the attacks leads me to wonder what's real opinion and who just wants to post the comment that gets the most attention. Another issue with sites like that is that most people tend to post a negative review before a positive one.... most people with a good opinion of the place just don't bother. When they do, they're accused of being shills. The drama goes on.

We'll be making a trip out there in February or March, and will try to visit as many as possible. We want to visit during the day and get a feel for the staff, and then at night to get a feel for the residents.

[Jdatlas]

Hi Rotabega,

I live in Chapel Hill but have never heard of any of the apartments you mentioned. Sorry! We stayed at The Pointe at Chapel Hill when we first came down here.

[ferro28]

Hi Rotabega,

Had the same problem- moved here from out of town, rented a place sight unseen from Craig's list. It was a disaster. If I had to do this again, I would stay at a hotel first.

Having said that, I can recommend The Oaks, and Meadowmont, which might be above your rent guidelines at $1000-$1100, but worth the extra $$$.

[toot68]

Having been out of the renting market for a long time, I'm not certain which apts would be good for a family with kids. My suggestion would be to spend a few days in Chapel Hill and visit as many as you can in different areas of town to identify ones that cater more towards families instead of students.

If it were me, I'd lean more towards renting a house. A couple years ago there were several grad student/postdocs with families/kids who rented homes in the Roosevelt Dr/Hillsville Rd area. They really liked the area for its proximity to the Community Center Park and University Mall. Not sure if there's still families living in that area, but there are rents are in your price range so it might be worth poking around there a bit.

[sunnie741]

I lived in Copper Mill 7 years ago when they first were built. We are in the process of having to sell our house and move back into an apartment and Copper Mill is a consideration. It is not in Chapel Hill but the Durham school district. The same might be for some of the others-just becasue they have a Chapel Hill address-they sometimes are actually in Durham.

[StoneOne]

We live in an apartment in Carrboro! We've been living at the Autumn Woods complex for about a month and are very happy. It's slightly pricier than some others, but the maintenance is very good and there's very little in the way of noisy undergrads. The apartments also seem to be a bit larger than at the competition.

Chapel Hill and the rest of Carrboro are very convenient. There's a bus stop right by the complex.

[Acantha]

Have you looked at Glen Lennox? One bedrooms run around 600 - 650, and I would think you could get a 2 bedroom for 900. It's an old complex, built in the 1940s, and it's all one-story brick buildings of connected apartments. I recommend it because it doesn't really feel like living in an apartment - more like living in a neighborhood. And there are hardwood floors, which you almost never find in apartments (including the more expensive ones like Meadowmont). I lived there when I moved to the area and I really liked it and had no complaints. No crime, very safe feeling area. Good location too - quite close to UNC. The only other apartment complex I have familiarity with is Meadowmont, which is more expensive and "luxurious," but I personally prefer the older charm, big trees, and neighborhood feeling of the Glen Lennox area. The only thing I would add is that I don't have children and I don't know how much square footage you will need - but definitely check it out.